Chapter Text
Chapter warnings: Bullying, Homophobia
"Eeyyyy, Walker!" a lanky sophomore called out. He had bleach blond hair, shaved so close at the nape of his neck it was nearly invisible, which made it look like the style started halfway up his head. His name was something like Braedon, or maybe Ashton? Braxton? Another boy leaned against the closest section of wall. Jay regarded them with a wary gaze, gripping his ratty, falling-to-pieces backpack with one hand.
"What do you want?" That had come out nervous- unintentionally; he was going for flat and uninterested. Unfortunately, like some breed of self-esteem consuming rabid dogs, the two boys smirked and pounced on his uncertainty.
"JunkyardBoySaysWhat?"
"What?" Jay said, then instantly berated himself, retreating a little into his shoulders. They cackled loudly, the one on the wall throwing his head back so his hood fell. He lowered his head, locking eyes with Jay, who felt himself beginning to turn red. Wall boy plucked out an earbud and swung the cord, twisting it around a finger.
"Heard a sad story about cha the other day- You're so little and scruffy your parents mistook you for a piece of trash and threw you away."
Jay's face was burning. He needed a comeback, something quick, snappy, mean- something to show how little he cared. Their hair and clothes weren't cheap enough to be a target. Maybe they were bad in class? He didn't know them well enough to pull out a tidbit of information that could strike a nerve. He bit the inside of his cheek, he'd been silent too long already and the moment had passed.
Blond boy elbowed his friend, mock concern warping his expression. "Hey, now, Neil, he's a lil' sensitive guy! You can't just go reminding him of his greatest shame like that, he'll cry!" A hand was offered to Jay, fingers splayed. "You forgive him, right, Jayby?"
Jay smacked the hand aside, gritting his teeth. "Piss off, jerkwad. You and Chuckles over there might want to stop listening to nonsense rumors."
Neil stepped away from the wall, still swinging his earbud cord, and leaned, shoving his face inches in front of Jay's. "Mmmm, I think you're right, Clayton. Sensitive guy, kinda a bitch . We're just letting you know the gossip, short stack, don't need to throw a fit about it." Neil had glasses, with green plastic frames. The lense caught the sunlight and reflected it directly into Jay's eye, making it hard not to squint.
Broadening his shoulders, Jay stared back at Neil, trying to look as unperturbed and aloof as possible. Neil's eyes flicked around his face, and then he suddenly let out a short laugh. Sticking a thumb on Jay's cheek, he swiped, and then took a look. "Is this- concealer? What are you, gay??" Clayton grabbed Neil's hand to look at the smear of makeup and started cracking up.
"Oh my god, dude, he's trying to cover up freckles!" Clayton had tears in his eyes he was laughing so hard.
Jay felt his throat closing up, his mind racing. How could he react? What could he say that wouldn't just give them more ammunition against him? Words failing him, he furrowed his brow and shoved Neil as hard as he could. Neil- screamed?! Jay took several steps back, startled, as Neil fell to the ground and gripped his chest where Jay's hands had been. He looked up, tears of pain in his eyes. Angry. "What the fuck, dude?! Was that a fucking taser?!"
Clayton looked at Jay, disbelief tinged with anger in his face. “That’s fucked up man- you can’t bring those to school.” Jay shook his head, trying to put together an explanation but no words would come out. Clayton ran off, yelling for a teacher.
Niel stood up, still holding one hand to his chest. There was a dark, smoking hole on the other side. Jay, horrified, looked from Neil to his hands, which were unharmed. Like always.
Lightning powers. He’d had them since he was a baby, and was pretty good at controlling them. He’d never used them outside of the junkyard before now.
Suddenly he was pushed and he stumbled backward. He fell, tripping over a rock or something, and smacked his head on the ground. Neil was above him, half blocking the sun, fists clenched. Jay quickly curled up into a protective ball, which turned out to be a great decision, because the next moment Neil was kicking him savagely in the side.
Someone ran up and pulled Neil away, shouting something. As soon as he wasn’t under attack, Jay uncurled, jumped to his feet, and started sprinting. He was skipping last period today.